White Silenced by Vocal Cord Problem

The White Stripes have been forced to delay their imminent Japanese tour after doctors ordered frontman Jack White not to speak for two weeks in a bid to save his ravaged vocal cords.

The band was scheduled to play gigs in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka from January 12, but postponed performances after frontman White was diagnosed with an “acute vocal cord problem.”

The 30-year-old hopes a prolonged spell of silence will speed his recovery and has reassured fans he still intends to play the Big Day Out Festival, which travels through New Zealand and Australia beginning January 20.